Track Mark Analysis

Track Mark Analysis Quiz Crafted By-

Ruchika Dwivedi

Scientific Officer

Sherlock Institute of Forensic Science India Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi


Introduction to Track Mark Analysis

Track marks are varied in nature; naked footprints, footwear marks, paw marks, tyre marks, dragline of a load; impression of a stick or pugmarks of a beast are also included in track evidence. Individual marks and their collective patterns are both useful in the identification of individuals. A mark may be a print or an impression. A mark having two dimensions like length and breadth is called print, while a mark with three dimensions length, breadth and height or depth, is an impression. The terms ‘print’ (which is usually found on hard surface) and impression (which is mostly found in comparatively soft surface) have been used erratically in literature, so the term ‘marks' includes both prints and impressions.

Let's look at the questions and their answer. 


Ques 1. The following is considered as part of gait pattern: 

a) Step length 

b) Foot angle 

c) Walking line 

d) All of the above 

Answer- d) All of the above 


Ques 2. For hardening of plaster of paris cast of foot prints, following substance is added: 

a) Sodium chloride 

b) Sodium carbonate 

c) Talcum powder 

d) Sodium sulphate

Answer- b) Sodium carbonate 


Ques 3. ________ is used for retarding the plaster of paris cast of foot prints. 

a) Sodium chloride 

b) Sodium bicarbonate 

c) Aluminium oxide 

d) Borax

Answer- d) Borax


Ques 4. When questioned and known shoe prints sufficiently match with no unexplainable difference, the opinion given be termed as 

a) Inconclusive 

b) Elimination 

c) Individualization 

d) Association 

Answer- d) Association 


Ques 5. The Scientific Working Group for shoeprint and Tire Tread Evidence “SWGTREAD” was created by: 

a) CBI 

b) FBI 

c) Scotland Yard 

c) NYPD 

Answer- b)  FBI 


Ques 6. Which of the following was a famous criminalist who identified himself from the missing big toe in the cast of the foot print obtained from the crime scene? 

a) Soderman 

b) Kirk 

c) Goddard 

d) Le dru

Answer- d) Le dru


Ques 7. Which of the following statements depicts the foot print ratio correctly?

a) Heel length/ maximum foot length

b) Maximum foot width/ maximum foot length

c) Maximum foot width/ maximum toe-length

d) The ratio of the noncontact area to the contact area of the toeless footprint

Answer- d) The ratio of the noncontact area to the contact area of the toeless footprint


Ques 8. Why should you pay attention to tread wear indicators?

a) They can help pinpoint the part of the tire that made the impression.

b) They have numbers that identify the kind of tire that made the impression.

c) They allow you to identify the color of the tire (if it wasn't black).

d) They can reveal the gender of the person who drove the car.

Answer- a) They can help pinpoint the part of the tire that made the impression.


Ques 9. How should 3D impressions of tire marks be cast?

a)    Using dental stone

b)    Using clay

c)    Using Papier-Mache

d)    Using soft sand

Answer-a) Using dental stone


Ques 10. Which of the following are impression databases available in the identification of footwear or tire impressions?

a) TreadMark

b) SoleMate

c) TreadMate

d) All of the above

Answer-d) All of the above

Share on